Total War: Asia & the Pacific 1931-1952

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject explores the World War II in Asia and the Pacific through lectures, videos, slides, and music. Within a political, social, economic, industrial, environmental, legal, moral, racial, military, and diplomatic context we will explore such questions as: Why did Japan attack America, Singapore, Australia? What role did race place in both the planning and execution of the war? Why were time, distance, intelligence, environment, medicine, and material so important in this conflict? What accounts for the Nanking Massacre and what makes an act of war a 'war crime?' Why did the Americans, who so vociferously condemned the bombing of civilians in China by the Japanese so willingly target Japanese civilians in 1945? How fair were the postwar trials and can war crimes trials ever be 'fair'? On completion of this subject students should have a solid understanding of the factors that led to this conflict, its nature, and the way it fundamentally shaped the world, relations between state and society, and the nature of warfare itself. This subject will change the way you view the most important event of the Twentieth Century.

Information Not Available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.